C11 chord on guitar
C Dominant Eleventh. Notes: C, E, G, Bb, D and F.
How to play C11
- Lay your index finger flat across the 2nd (B) to the 1st (high E) string at fret 1. This is the barre.
- Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
- Put your ring finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C).
- Put your pinky finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 3 (Bb).
- Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
- Strum from the A string down.
All 4 ways to play C11
Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.Barre at fret 1
MediumBarre at fret 3
MediumBarre at fret 6
MediumBarre at fret 8
HardNotes and theory
The eleventh chord stacks thirds up to the eleventh. On guitar the third is often left out so the eleventh does not clash. The formula is 1 3 5 b7 9 11.
More C chords
All C guitar chordsdominant eleventh chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the C11 chord?
C11 (C dominant eleventh) is made of six notes: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth), Bb (minor seventh), D (ninth) and F (eleventh).
How do you play C11 on guitar?
The easiest C11 is the "barre at fret 1" shape. Lay your index finger flat across the 2nd (B) to the 1st (high E) string at fret 1. This is the barre. Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E). Put your ring finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C).
Is C11 hard to play on guitar?
C11 has no open-string shape, so every version needs a barre or a stretch. The easiest one is rated medium.
What does a dominant eleventh chord sound like?
The eleventh chord stacks thirds up to the eleventh. On guitar the third is often left out so the eleventh does not clash.